Five Amazing Decades of the Fender Telecaster

Updated on January 18, 2010

Five Amazing Decades of the Fender Telecaster

We have all heard it. We have all seen it. Some of us love it. Some of us hate it. Like it or not, the Fender Telecaster changed the way music was played and written in 1952 when it first started being produced by Fender Musical. The Telecaster holds the title of being the first solid body electric guitar made in large numbers. Ever since it's debut in 1952, the Tele has been going through constant changes in all categories - wood, electronics, and build. Let's take a quick look at how the Telecaster has changed over the years. Shall we?

1952 Telecaster

With it's classic butterscotch blonde finish toped off with a black pickguard, this is by far the most loved model Tele. This is what all true Tele's should sound like. One piece maple neck with a maple fretboard.

1969 Telecaster and Thinline Tele

In the 60's, Fender Musical Corp. was experimenting with using rosewood for fretbaords. All of the classic reissue Strats and Teles from the 60's will have a rosewood neck. Also, more colors were alaivable in the 60's for the players to choose from.

In 1969, Fender produced the ever popular Thinline Telecaster. It featured the same electronics, just mounted on a semi-hollow, thinline body. Yes, this one does have a maple fretboard, but that was common on the Thinline models.

1972 Telecaster and Telecaster Deluxe

As you can see, maple necks were used again in the 70's and were very popular. Natural wood finished Strats and Teles were very common. Also notice the larger Fender decal and writing on the headstock - a 70's Fender trademark.

1997 Telecaster

In the 90's, a lot of experimental Teles were produced, looking for a heavier sound than what the 50's and 60's models could deliver. This is the same layout of the currently popular Blackout Tele which features two neck pickups - one in the neck and

2009 Telecaster

Some say that the Teles produced in Corona, California today are the best they have ever been. That is all opinion, because there are thousands of people who believe that about every new decade of the guitar.

Well, I love my Telecaster, it is my favorite guitar. I just wanted to show you how the Tele has transformed throughout all of its 50+ years . Fantastic guitar!

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Comments 5 comments

they are crap production guitars made from a greedy corporation.the 1960's are the best.go for G&L OR PRS

tecnico 6 years ago

i wish their pick ups sounded stronger,i like the large capacitor it has linked to the neck pick up,it rolls off high frequencies, when you select that position it sure sounds fuller. i like it.but personally i like PRS guitars.i play a G&L 100.i put a seymour duncan ivader humbacker , and 2 single coils ,and a splitter,my guitar is all maple, natural finish ,i love it

Hot Rod De-Ville 6 years ago

Why don't you go jerk off on your soulless, toneless, PRSs...

Hairdog58 6 years ago

Ha! Good one Hot Rod De-Ville!! Outstanding comment to this jerk!

Griffo 5 years ago

Incredible guitars!

Nothing more versatile. A Telecaster sounds like a Telecaster, can sound like a Strat and can also sound like a beefy Les Paul with the tone rolled off of the bridge pickup!